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Longtime Thibodaux politician to be inducted into Hall of Fame

Published: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 10:31 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 10:39 p.m.

Longtime Thibodaux politician Harvey Peltier Jr. is remembered as much for the effect he had on young public servants as for the dozens of buildings and bridges he helped bring into existence during his 16 years of public service.

Peltier will be posthumously inducted Feb. 1 into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield.

"I know Harvey would be pleased with this honor," said his widow, "Mickey" Peltier. "I certainly am. Our family is grateful."

Peltier was born in 1923. He was a native of Thibodaux and was educated at parochial schools in Louisiana in Mississippi. He earned a bachelor's degree after serving in the Navy. He dabbled in the seafood industry before opening Peltier Insurance in 1945.

His political career began in 1964 when he was elected state senator. During his three terms, he chaired the Senate Transportation and Education committees.

"He had a special appreciation for the roads and bridges and also Nicholls (State University)," said his son, Drew.

During his tenure, Peltier sought financing for the Hale Boggs Bridge at Luling, the Grizzaffi Bridge in Morgan City, the Schriever Overpass and the Larose La. 308 highrise.

Those who knew him said education was his passion in bolstering Nicholls State University and providing opportunities for young people who valued public service.

Peltier served about six years on the state Board of Education, which eventually became the Louisiana Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities.

The period of Peltier's tenure saw enrollment at Nicholls expand threefold. Under his watch, 34 buildings were added to the university's Thibodaux campus.

"When it came to using the political skills he had as a senator and on the Board of Education, I don't think there is anyone that can exceed the impact he had to make Nicholls what it is now," said Dan Borne, a Thibodaux native, president of the Louisiana Chemical Association and the voice of Tiger Stadium. "He recognized early in his career that this was a tremendous asset to our area and that generations would benefit from it."

As a student, Borne worked in Peltier's legislative office and said his contribution to Nicholls was more than bricks and mortar.

He also took young public servants under his wing, allowing them to work in his legislative office. They'd help with constituent services, track legislation and get an overall feel for the political process, said Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Weimer, who worked in Peltier's legislative office while attending Nicholls.

"He was an extraordinary influence on me as a young man," Borne said. "I don't think you could name all the people he helped through the years."

His son Drew also noted Peltier donated his Senate salary for scholarships at the school and a farm for agricultural studies in Chackbay.

"He was unique. He had a heart of gold. He believed in helping people. There were so many lives he touched. He was an unbelievable influence on my life," said Hunt Downer, Houma attorney and former state legislator.

Downer said Peltier helped get him into law school and pay for his tuition. He also helped to provide him a place to stay and considered him "extended family."

As witnesses to his legislative style, the men described Peltier as quiet, calculated and content with leading from within.

"He wasn' a boisterous politician who wowed with fiery speeches. His influence was in that he would very quietly come to speak to you about an issue and convinced you that there was a right way to do it," Borne said.

Weimer recalled many occasions where Peltier asked him to give speeches for him, saying it was part of his quiet style, and also provided a "magnificent" opportunity for him.

"He taught me a very valuable lesson. I'd sit next to him during the session. He'd tell me, 'Don't make it personal. Just remember everyone here was sent here to do a job. Tell them you disagree, but be courteous about it. Always be professional ...' That is how I remember him," Downer said.

During the final day of his last session, Peltier was honored as the president pro tempore.

His son recalls his father telling him that day: "You'll notice I'm not going to make a bunch of speeches. I'm a listener. If I go to that podium, it shows it's important."

Also being inducted into the Hall of Fame are former state Rep. Dick Guidry and Edward "Bubby" Lyons — the former Terrebonne Parish president, Houma mayor and police jury president.

Hall of Fame induction activities begin at 4 p.m. with a reception at the Louisiana Political Museum. A banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the Winnfield Civic Center.

Tickets can be purchased for $50 by calling 318-628-5928 prior to Jan. 24. All tickets must be bought in advance.

<p>Longtime Thibodaux politician Harvey Peltier Jr. is remembered as much for the effect he had on young public servants as for the dozens of buildings and bridges he helped bring into existence during his 16 years of public service. </p><p>Peltier will be posthumously inducted Feb. 1 into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield.</p><p>"I know Harvey would be pleased with this honor," said his widow, "Mickey" Peltier. "I certainly am. Our family is grateful." </p><p>Peltier was born in 1923. He was a native of Thibodaux and was educated at parochial schools in Louisiana in Mississippi. He earned a bachelor's degree after serving in the Navy. He dabbled in the seafood industry before opening Peltier Insurance in 1945. </p><p>His political career began in 1964 when he was elected state senator. During his three terms, he chaired the Senate Transportation and Education committees. </p><p>"He had a special appreciation for the roads and bridges and also Nicholls (State University)," said his son, Drew.</p><p>During his tenure, Peltier sought financing for the Hale Boggs Bridge at Luling, the Grizzaffi Bridge in Morgan City, the Schriever Overpass and the Larose La. 308 highrise.</p><p>Those who knew him said education was his passion in bolstering Nicholls State University and providing opportunities for young people who valued public service. </p><p>Peltier served about six years on the state Board of Education, which eventually became the Louisiana Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities.</p><p>The period of Peltier's tenure saw enrollment at Nicholls expand threefold. Under his watch, 34 buildings were added to the university's Thibodaux campus. </p><p>"When it came to using the political skills he had as a senator and on the Board of Education, I don't think there is anyone that can exceed the impact he had to make Nicholls what it is now," said Dan Borne, a Thibodaux native, president of the Louisiana Chemical Association and the voice of Tiger Stadium. "He recognized early in his career that this was a tremendous asset to our area and that generations would benefit from it." </p><p>As a student, Borne worked in Peltier's legislative office and said his contribution to Nicholls was more than bricks and mortar. </p><p>He also took young public servants under his wing, allowing them to work in his legislative office. They'd help with constituent services, track legislation and get an overall feel for the political process, said Louisiana Supreme Court Justice John Weimer, who worked in Peltier's legislative office while attending Nicholls.</p><p>"He was an extraordinary influence on me as a young man," Borne said. "I don't think you could name all the people he helped through the years." </p><p>His son Drew also noted Peltier donated his Senate salary for scholarships at the school and a farm for agricultural studies in Chackbay. </p><p>"He was unique. He had a heart of gold. He believed in helping people. There were so many lives he touched. He was an unbelievable influence on my life," said Hunt Downer, Houma attorney and former state legislator.</p><p>Downer said Peltier helped get him into law school and pay for his tuition. He also helped to provide him a place to stay and considered him "extended family." </p><p>As witnesses to his legislative style, the men described Peltier as quiet, calculated and content with leading from within. </p><p>"He wasn' a boisterous politician who wowed with fiery speeches. His influence was in that he would very quietly come to speak to you about an issue and convinced you that there was a right way to do it," Borne said. </p><p>Weimer recalled many occasions where Peltier asked him to give speeches for him, saying it was part of his quiet style, and also provided a "magnificent" opportunity for him. </p><p>"He taught me a very valuable lesson. I'd sit next to him during the session. He'd tell me, 'Don't make it personal. Just remember everyone here was sent here to do a job. Tell them you disagree, but be courteous about it. Always be professional ...' That is how I remember him," Downer said. </p><p>During the final day of his last session, Peltier was honored as the president pro tempore. </p><p>His son recalls his father telling him that day: "You'll notice I'm not going to make a bunch of speeches. I'm a listener. If I go to that podium, it shows it's important." </p><p>Also being inducted into the Hall of Fame are former state Rep. Dick Guidry and Edward "Bubby" Lyons — the former Terrebonne Parish president, Houma mayor and police jury president.</p><p>Hall of Fame induction activities begin at 4 p.m. with a reception at the Louisiana Political Museum. A banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the Winnfield Civic Center. </p><p>Tickets can be purchased for $50 by calling 318-628-5928 prior to Jan. 24. All tickets must be bought in advance.</p>